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Christmas in October: A Letterman Family Reunion

Standing in back are, from left: Evelyn Witchey, Gladys Letterman, Dorothy Goff. Front row, from left: Ilene Easley, Florene Flores, Aunt Faye Pruett.

Descendants of longtime Ava residents, Loe and Elsie Letterman (who were born, raised, and spent their entire lifetimes in Ava) gathered this past Sunday at the Ava Lion’s Club. By special request of Aunt Fae Pruett (sister of Loe) for a “Christmas Celebration”, extended family came from all across Missouri and the greater United States (from Texas, Indiana, Oregon, Washington, Kentucky, and California).
Complete with decorated Christmas tree, lights, garland, and festive Christmas table settings, the family enjoyed an afternoon of visiting and delicious food, some reuniting after many years apart. Stories were shared, photos were taken, gifts were exchanged, and lives were reconnected as cherished family.
The thirty-five attending:
Aunt Faye Pruett, Gladys Letterman, Jeanne Alexander, Carolyn Kelly, Melissa McKnight-Taliafeno, Dorothy Goff, Troy and Cindy Mead, Evelyn Witchey, Sandra (Witchey) Duke, Janelle and Tim Adams, Ryan Duke, Ilene and Harold Easley, Charles and Cathy Easley, Fallon Easley, Vicki Easley, Susan and Doug Ellison, Holly and Bradley Hopkins, Christina and Kent Snyder, Florene and Israel Flores, Vicky Reynolds, Marvin and Anabelle Walker, Jerry and Susan Thomas, Wanda and Larry Hutchison, and Geneva McCullough.
The Heart of the Ozarks nursing home staff provided transportation for Aunt Faye Pruett, which was much appreciated by the family.